Among the Bantu peoples over all of Sub-Saharan Africa the term for a religious organization which usually includes initiation and often spirit possession is called Ngoma. This means drum. The Anthropologist Victor Turner called these "Drums of Affliction" because people usually sought them to cure problems and illness. Among the Kongo there used to be a number of these, including Nkita, Ndembo, Kimpasi, Nkimba, Lango, and Lemba. Most of these, except for Lemba which ceased to function in the early 20th century, exist today but usually in extremely restricted forms compared to in the past. These all contributed to the evolution of Kongo religions in the Americas. Zinganga or priests were the usual leaders of these sects. The zingoma often ran schools where the initiates would develop mediumship, learn the secrets of the tradition and become adepts in their respective traditions. Morals usually were an important element of this training. Among the Kimbundu speakers of Angola, one ngoma is Umbanda, the diviner/healer is known as Kimbanda.These had a significant impact upon the religious practices of Southern Brazil.

	Web www.nganga.org

Entre casi todos los grupos bantúes el nombre usado por organizaciónes religiosos es Ngoma. Este palabra significa "Tambor." En el Congo fue varios ngomas entre ellos Nkita, Ndembo, Kimpasi, Nkimba, Lango y Lemba. Los lederes llamaban Zinganga. Frequentamente montaban escuelas onde enseñaban la mediunidad, sus secretos tradiciónales, y morales. Entre los kimbundu de Angola, un ngoma se llaman Umbanda, los adivinadores son Kimbanda. Su influencia fue grande en Brazil.